Caninecancer.org.au

In late February my 7 year old F1 Labradoodle, Ben, began limping badly on his left front leg. The vet diagnosed osteosarcoma based upon x-rays, confirmed with an oncological consult, with no visible metastasis. We did a bone biopsy, tho it was inconclusive. Based on the vet's recommendation, I went with amputation and they took Ben's left front leg on 4 March 2014. The lab report on the leg confirmed the diagnosis and we are now halfway through a course of four chemo treatments (carboplatin).
No one could have been more terrified than I when the vet first spoke the word "cancer" to me, and my immediate reaction to the idea of amputation was "NO!!!" How could I do that to my beautiful dog!!
If Ben could have spoken, he would have said "Oh, for crying out loud, I have FOUR legs and I can do just fine with three!! Do it, woman!"
Within three days of surgery he was jumping on the sofa, eating from his dish on the floor, and doing a modified run across my yard to find the perfect spot to poop. Now, close to five weeks later, he is playing ball with me, going on short walks, jumping at his food dish before I can put it down, play fighting with his sister after dinner, and generally taking advantage of the spoiling he's gotten since the diagnosis.
Amputation and chemo is the standard protocol for this disease -- TAKE IT!! You will be giving your dog back his quality of life and perhaps extending that quality of life for several months to a year or more. For me, it has been well worth it already just to see my boy back to himself Smile

Great to hear Ben's recovered well! It amazes me every single time I see how well dog's do after surgery. I'd be lying in bed feeling sorry for myself; they're up and around enjoying every day as best they can. Carpe diem!

May Ben have many more happy days/months/years.

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Dr Ken Wyatt BSc BVMS FANZCVS
Specialist Veterinary Oncologist
Perth Veterinary Oncology

Glad to hear Ben is doing so well. Thankyou for posting his story. I am sure if we can get a few stories on this forum it might well help others to at least consider it. Most dogs I have read about seem to do well.

I can well relate to how you felt when told it was cancer. After 4.5 years I know precisely what I was doing when I got the call from the primary care vet (who had told me it wasn't cancer and they got it all) and the shock and disbelief I was in. I could give a detailed account even now of everything that happened over the next five days after that call. Wonder if Dr Ken's recollection is as good as mine when he had to call a panicked owner who was having visions of a weekend upon us and we are doing nothing whilst cancer is taking over Frodo

Hopefully in the future we might get more answers to osteosarcoma so more dogs get better treatments and cures. If you have any videos or pics of Ben please feel free to post them. I will shift this to the amputation forum so people specifically looking for that will see it quickly.

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1. Sending tumours to the lab saves lives
2. Pet insurance allows you to give your dog the best treatments available
3. Using an oncologist gives your dog the best chance of survival.

Ben has finished his carboplatin chemo, barely seeming to feel the effects, and now doesn't have to return to the vet until September if he continues to do well. He honestly is acting like a puppy, full of energy and running everywhere he goes. In truth, I think walking is a little difficult for him to coordinate, so he runs all the time. Now, of course, comes the waiting game to see how long he has before the cancer presents again -- still, just to see him feeling so good and happy has been worth this journey already.

awesome! great to hear he's doing well. Yes it is difficult knowing that recurrence may be in 3 months or 3 years, but for the moment, he has his life back, he's pain free. I'm sure he appreciates everything you've done caring for him!

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Dr Ken Wyatt BSc BVMS FANZCVS
Specialist Veterinary Oncologist
Perth Veterinary Oncology